OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #12

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000081 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015 TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI SUBJECT: OIL WORKER HOSTAGE UPDATE SITREP #12 REF: A. LAGOS 80 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. ABUJA 76 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief for Reasons 1.4 (D & E) -------------- Hostage Welfare Update -------------- ¶1. (C) Econoff, Tidex operations manager, and an HMG official met five representatives allegedly acting for the kidnappers and negotiating with Bayelsa State Governor Goodluck Jonathan. Four of the representatives willingly spoke with Econoff. They said the captives were healthy, and they hoped a resolution would come soon. When asked if they were accepting offers of medicine, water, mosquito nets and other supplies, they replied, "Don't worry, everything is in God's hands." The fifth representative, apparently the leader, refused to interact with the delegation, possibly indicating some disagreement about meeting the hostages' employer. (Note. All three people were introduced as Tidex officials. End Note.) The representatives gave Bayelsa State Governor Goodluck Jonathan a photograph of the four hostages, which, according to them, was taken on Friday. While the photo cannot be directly dated, the hostages have several days beard growth, which would appear to support the photo having been taken recently. The representatives promised to release the photograph to the media. ¶2. (C) In a separate meeting, representatives of the Movement for the Survival of the Niger Delta (MSND),Victor Benson and a female calling herself only "comrade," told Econoff and HMG official that the hostages were in good health. MSND is another group claiming to have contact with the kidnappers. -------------- Evacuation and Repatriation Planning -------------- ¶3. (C) Tidex asked Shell to provide boats and helicopter transport for the hostages in case they are released in the creeks. Depending on the condition of the hostages, Shell would bring them to their Warri clinic, Port Harcourt, or Lagos, where they would eventually overnight either in a British Deputy High Commission or USG residence. Tidex requested that a Shell corporate jet then transport the hostages from the Lagos airport to London, where they would be met by their respective national government representatives; Shell is evaluating this request. Alternatively, HMG could arrange for a British Air flight. ¶4. (C) Shell requested we convey to the appropriate GON military contact their desire for military escorts for the hostages from their point of release. The Bulgarian Ambassador has asked the USG to take charge of Bulgarian hostage Milko Nitchev until arrival in London. We accepted responsibility, and HMG accepted responsibility for Honduran Harry Ebanks until his arrival in London. ¶5. (C) Acting Consul General and ACS officer will meet with Tidex management on January 23 to solidify repatriation plans for the hostages if they are released. Tidex representative Chris Jones has travel documents and personal effects for all of the hostages. Passports for the Honduran and Bulgarian will be sent to the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos for visas, and consular officers will work on expediting departure procedures. -------------- U.S. Mission Actions -------------- ¶6. (C) Econoff will remain in Yenagoa for meetings with the Governor, Attorney General Dixon, and Commissioner of Police Ringim. He will be present when the full committee reconvenes on January 23, and then he will proceed to the Warri area unless information regarding the whereabouts of the hostages changes. ¶7. (U) This cable is a joint Embassy-ConGen cable. HOWE